There are continued calls for greater mental health resources in public schools, with Launceston College teacher Lisa Bartholemew describing a “cry for help” among Tasmania’s youth.
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The comments come as Labor pledge to invest more than $50 million in Tasmanian public schools, if elected in the next federal election.
Deputy Opposition Leader and opposition education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek visited Launceston College on Monday, announcing that Bass public school’s would be $12 million better off, under a Shorten Labor government.
As part of the funding scheme, Launceston College would be eligible for $1.3 million over three years – something Ms Bartholemew said should go directly towards additional support services for mental health.
“We currently only have one psychologist and one student counselor– that is one between 1500 students,” she said.
“What we are dealing with on a daily basis as teachers, who are not trained specialists, is frankly not good enough for our students.
“School is supposed to be their safe place and we just want the best for our students.
“As teachers we are the forefront of this every day and we need more specialised support. That needs to be the priority.”
Ms Plibersek said the funding would allow more teachers and teaching assistants to be employed, including psychologists and counselors.
“It is our very strong view that the best people to make decisions into how this money is invested are the schools and the school community,” she said.
“If a school community identifies extra psychologists, extra support as the best way to spend this money, then we would absolutely support that.”
Bass Labor MHR Ross Hart said a new website – fairgoforschools.com.au – would give each school an estimate of the extra funding it could expect in the first three years of the Labor plan.
“Parents and teachers will be able to find out how much extra funding their local public school will get and what a difference this will make for their kids,” he said.
“Parents and teachers know what this could mean for their children – more one on one attention, an extra teacher or teacher aide.
“This funding will give schools the resources they need to help students master the basics such as reading, writing, maths, and science, and offer a broader range of subjects including languages, coding, the arts, and vocational education.”
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
